Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 417 i Australasian Transport News (ATN)

Toll Global Express came back to haunt Japan Post (JP) one last time as the parent company released its annual results ending March 31, 2021. JP concedes it gave up on Global Express as it continued to bleed financially, to the tune of $78 million last Japanese financial year, in the Toll portfolio that also includes Global Logistics and Global Forwarding. However, positively for JP, Toll Group’s bottom line sees revenue and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rise to $9.84 billion and $46 million, respectively. Operating income inched towards the $10 billion mark, increasing by A$1.28 billion (or 14.9 per cent year-on-year), "due mainly to continuing large-scale handling of Covid-19 prevention supplies by the Global Logistics Asia division through the fourth quarter of the fiscal year", JP explains. While…

A joint report from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Australia (CILTA) and the National Truck Accident Research Centre (NTARC) has revealed performance-based standards (PBS) vehicles are involved in 60 per cent fewer major crashes than conventional vehicles. This is a significant improvement over the results in a 2018 report, the Reforming the Performance-Based Standards Scheme policy paper, which found PBS vehicles were in 46 per cent fewer major crashes compared to the conventional fleet. PBS vehicles are forecast to save 143 lives over 20 years, the NHVR says. The NHVR partnered with the CILTA and the NTARC to deliver the Review of Major Crash Rates for Australian Higher Productivity Vehicles: 2015–2019 report, which looks at the reduced crash rates, fewer kilometres driven and…

In what was a year full of unexpected challenges, PacLease Australia continued its commitment to investment into the brand through the growth of its national footprint – opening its 18th and 19th locations with Twin City Trucks in Wodonga and Canberra. With a truly national rental, leasing and contract maintenance offering, PacLease Australia can ensure peace of mind for its customers, with tailored fleet solutions never far from reach. With a new year, 2021 brings a very new feeling to Paccar, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Australian-made Kenworth trucks. With the heart of the Paccar brand deeply engrained within its culture, desire to diversify its marketleading offerings and grow with the transport industry, PacLease has, in its own right, made a very promising start to 2021. PROGRAM LAUNCH…

It was a powerful statement by Scott Buchholz, the federal government’s assistant minister for road safety and freight transport, which perhaps best summed up the timely and critical importance of the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show. After being escorted around by Todd Hacking, chief executive of the Brisbane show’s organising body, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), an obviously impressed Buchholz issued a press release describing the 2021 show as being part of “a heavy vehicle industry renaissance, following a significant increase in freight and logistics demand during the Covid-19 pandemic”. Adding: “Workers in the [trucking] sector are Australia’s unsung heroes and the truck show not only put on display the latest and greatest in technology, it recognised the significant contribution of the workforce.” What’s more: “I want to thank all the…

If ever two managing directors appeared to emerge from different sides of the corporate corridor, they are current Scania Australia chief Mikael Jansson and his retired predecessor, Roger McCarthy. McCarthy, the sharply-styled, articulate Englishman with a polished salesman’s flair for the limelight was, typically, always up for a chat on industry issues and Scania achievements. And a photo, of course. Jansson, on the other hand, is a mildmannered Swede with a strong Nordic accent and an apparent preference for quiet conversation rather than public appearance. In fact, now approaching four years in the top job at Scania Australia, it’s surprising to learn that this is Jansson’s first one-on-one interview. Yet, despite their decidedly different personas, they share a couple of critical similarities. Each is a passionately proud and loyal Scania…

The first half of 2021 has certainly been a memorable time for Paccar Australia and its leading dealer group, Brown & Hurley. For Paccar, it’s now 50 years since a K125 cab-over, affectionately known as the ‘Grey Ghost’, became the first Kenworth truck to roll off the Bayswater (Vic) production line. For Brown & Hurley, this year notches 75 years since the fateful day, in 1946, when Alan Brown and Jack Hurley cobbled together their Army discharge pay to create a company bearing their surnames. It was, however, in 1964 that Paccar and Brown & Hurley forged the first bonds that would glue the companies so intrinsically together. After all, that was the year Brown & Hurley became Australia’s first Kenworth distributor and, soon after, sold its first Kenworth, a…

April commercial vehicle sales see the accelerator pressure lift a tiny bit but they remain in record territory for the month and year. March’s scorching total of 3,558 gives way to last month’s 3,215 but that is still ahead of the best April in the past five years, beating 2017’s 3,151, according to Tuck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark statistics. Where this April falls short against 2017 is in the year-to-date (YTD) figure, at 11,540 compared to 11,826. Of course, it remains to be seen how sustainable this year’s growth is, given March’s YTD comparison with March 2017 – 8,325 against 7,158 – was so much further in front. Still, the market-leading Japanese brands are still making a lot of hay in this sunny market, despite a slight slip. Isuzu’s 788…

Boral firm Concrite has been convicted and fined $450,000 after the death of a fuel delivery driver in 2017. The concrete production and supplies subsidiary pleaded guilty and accepted responsibility for the incident and its failings when, on September 20, 2017, Caltex tanker driver Peter Lees was fatally struck by a concrete mixer at Concrite’s Alexandria, NSW, site. The NSW District Court heard Lees was delivering fuel to the site when he stepped in front of a Concrite mixing truck that was attempting to drive past another Concrite vehicle. That driver unknowingly struck Lees and dragged him for about 20 metres. Lees died two days later from his injuries. It is noted that, while Boral oversees Concrite’s governance framework, the day-to-day operations of the site are managed by the latter.…

Safety inspectors visited transport operators across Newcastle and the Hunter Region in May as part of a Safety Around Your Vehicle compliance project, SafeWork NSW announces. The aim was to promote safer working practices when loading, unloading and working around vehicles, with SafeWork inspectors speaking to operators on the requirement to have safe work systems for tasks around heavy vehicles. "Almost every week, we see workers getting injured, or worse, while working around vehicles, whether that’s in a transport depot, unloading on a construction site, loading at a distribution centre or making retail or home deliveries," SafeWork NSW executive director Tony Williams says. "Many of the incidents are not driving related, but happen as people work around the truck or vehicle. "These visits are not about driving habits, they’re about…

The origins of Freighter hark all the way back to before World War II, and its influence has been growing ever since. Truly national before any other manufacturer dreamed it was possible, the company didn’t limit itself to being the best in truck trailers. It also made boats, buoys, buses, forklifts, caravans, starting gates for racing tracks, wood heaters and even had a crack at building its own 4WD vehicle. It’s said that, during the 1970s, nine out of every 10 heavy-duty trailers on the road were Freighter. Its influence on the industry remains undeniable. Freighter was officially created in 1945 with the first products rolling onto Australian roads in February 1946. However, its origins reach back even further, starting with Melbourne’s John McGrath. From scratching around to get by,…

There are a couple of really good reasons why I don’t get out to do many oversize shoots these days. Number one, because photographing them requires a special sort of skill set. Moving objects, at night, in poorly lit areas, yeah it’s tough. When you do jag some good shots it’s worth it, but there’s always a lot of shots just not sharp enough, or a little too dark. It is a real challenge. That’s not the main reason though. The main reason is that you have to be up really, really early! Or sometimes really, really late. However, when you find out a classic fighter jet is going to be doing a low-level pass through the streets of Sydney, well you just can’t pass that up. Boy, am I…

At a time when supply of new trucks into the Australian market generally is seeing arrival times blowing out, Penske Truck Leasing will soon have its hands on another 50 new MANs, which will give impetus to the current Fully-Maintained Operating Lease Programme it is calling MAN Choice. Essentially, Penske Truck Leasing looked at its three favourite trucks: • MAN TGS 26.440 L cab for single trailer/metro/container applications• MAN TGS 26.540 L cab for local/interstate/B-double applications• MAN TGX 26.540 XLX cab for interstate/line-haul/B-double applications. Then, it worked through every conceivable combination of lease term, kilometre band, warranty and R&M package, to come up with the most intriguing deals. “In some cases, if the annual kilometres are 100,000 or less, we can stretch to a seven-year lease term and keep the…

As the nation recovers from a tough 2020, the pressure on road transport, trades, services and related construction industries continues. The sector is expected to grow by 5.5 per cent by 2023. With figures like these, the call for more skilled truck technicians to service the sector is readily apparent. Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) national service manager, Brett Stewart, says that providing quality education and opportunities for this next generation of workers should be a top priority. “As a leading truck brand in the country, we are 100 per cent committed to growing the pipeline of technicians to support the automotive industry into the future,” he says. “Opportunities that inject passion and comradery into the technical skills sector are hugely important. We were delighted to sponsor the National Apprentice Challenge…

AVANTGARDE’S EASTERN EXCURSION It is a long way from Perth to Brisbane, so the appearance of FLIR Thermal Imaging provider Avantgarde Distribution at the show was welcome. Avantgarde’s Pete Hellemons gain more of a public profile four years ago when the safety technology was making a splash and he says the desire to be at the BTS has been around since then. The trouble being how to successfully find an opening. As with other exhibitors, this year saw that opportunity open up. “We’ve had this business going for nearly 10 years now and we’ve been getting pretty big in the west but we wanted to diversify, so we thought ‘we’ve got to come over to Brisbane’. “Had wanted to come here for a couple of years but getting into the…

In a shorthaul rigid truck market so thoroughly and fiercely dominated by Japanese models, it can be curious why local European brands bother to throw a slick and highly advanced contender into the mix when the likelihood of significant sales is perhaps as slim as the potential profit margin. Then again, why not? Any new model does, of course, add another string to the business’ bow, and moreover, a high-tech ‘round-town toiler may even prove to be just the thing for some applications and individuals who might require significantly more than a relatively standard, off-the-shelf workhorse. Scania, it seems, is figuring on just such a scenario for its new and extremely well equipped seven-litre P-series truck, because there’s no doubt that, when it comes to top-shelf componentry in shorthaul and…

With investment growth for plant and machinery in rarefied air generally for the economy, it would beggar belief if commercial vehicle sales were not following suit. And so it is that Truck Industry Council (TIC) T-Mark figures for May reach 3,639 units for a year-to-date (YTD) total of 15,179. That’s the top month so far this year, beating March’s 3,558. Those numbers are giving 2018’s top of the last boom May performance – 3,913/15,739 – a serious scare. And that is quite extraordinary, as this boom cycle has taken less than half the time of the Global Financial Crisis-impacted last. With 2019’s 3,556/14,817 starting to be left in this year’s dust, the comparisons with the last peak are perhaps more relevant. This seems reasonable, given the three Japanese market-leading makes…

Melbourne-based Punjab Roadtrains Pty Ltd (ACN 153 275 971), trading as Auswide Transport Solutions, and associated company Southern Cross Freight Lines Pty Ltd (ACN 620 756 998), had prohibition notices filed against them in November of last year. The NHVR notes it initiated the investigation following multiple vehicle collisions and Safe-T-Cam footage that allegedly identifies breaches relating to Punjab Roadtrains. Records for 15 drivers were analysed by NHVR investigators, revealing 225 fatigue and work diary breaches by the company, it says. A further 54 breaches were detected including contraventions of the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) Act, fatigue regulations and basic fatigue management (BFM) rules, and included administrative errors within National Driver Work Diaries, critical breaches of excess work hours and insufficient rest breaks. "The NHVR will allege that there…

Starting off at the turn of the millennium as a small contractor for BHP, MLG Oz is now a mining services giant in Western Australia that turns over more than $200 million a year and is the newest player on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). The Kalgoorlie-based mining services company provides integrated services across gold, iron ore and other base-metal clients throughout WA and the Northern Territory, including crusher feed, road maintenance, rehabilitation work, vehicle maintenance, machine and labour hire, bulk haulage and end-to-end logistics solutions. The listed company has a market capitalisation of $145.7 million, with $70.7 million invested through its initial public offering (IPO). MLG forecasts revenue of $241.6 million and pro-forma earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) of $41 million for the 2021 financial year.…

The nation’s transport ministers have agreed to a pathway to reforms on how heavy vehicle charges are set and invested and the law that governs its operations. The latest Infrastructure and Transport Ministers’ Meeting (ITMM) sees the release of a plan – Pathway Ahead: Heavy Vehicle Road Reform – that provides steps to a new reality for the industry by 2024. The ITMM also flags the final Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL) to be before ministers by mid-2023. "The National Transport Commission (NTC) will deliver more detailed advice to ministers over the next 12 months on key areas of reform such as fatigue management, heavy vehicle access, increased use of higher productivity vehicles, assurance schemes, duties and driver health," its communique states. "Ministers discussed the significant reform opportunity presented by…

The Australian trade services sector is calling for the creation of a national trade regulator to oversee shipping and the container trade in an environment that has significantly changed in recent years. The call is contained in a submission to the Productivity Commission’s supply chain security inquiry, which paints a picture of consolidation in shipping lines and stronger alliances, with a consortia of shipping lines entering vessel sharing agreements, creating significant barriers for new entrants into this global market, "let alone successfully compete in a somewhat isolated Australian trade-lane". The situation is exacerbated by a huge surge in post-pandemic crisis demand, limited supply of shipping services, erratic positioning of container equipment and poor performance in many key international ports, resulting in significant spikes in freight rates, escalation of surcharges and…

New Toll Global Express owner Allegro Funds has scored a major coup, snapping up former Australia Post chief Christine Holgate to lead the new entity. Holgate will be tasked with heading a transformation strategy for the parcels and logistics organisation upon the private equity firm completing its acquisition from previous owner Japan Post (JP). “In recent times Global Express has faced challenges and there is lots of hard work ahead of us,” Holgate says. “However, the combination of new funding, a focused local leadership team, a strong position in growing markets and the turnaround expertise of Allegro, will ensure the business is successful.”…

Amajor industry development took place away from the Brisbane Truck Show (BTS) spotlight, with mental health foundation Healthy Heads in Trucks and Sheds (HHTS) launching a membership drive to accompany the recent release of its industry roadmap. The National Mental Health and Wellbeing Roadmap 2021–2024 outlines a three-year course of action to improve mental wellbeing within transport and logistics. HHTS CEO Naomi Frauenfelder and chair Paul Graham were joined by National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) CEO Sal Petroccitto, who recently formalised an industry partnership with the foundation. Accompanying the launch was a video from HHTS psychology advisor Arthur Papagiannis of AP Psychology. Graham, the incoming Australia Post CEO from Woolworths logistics arm Primary Connect, is grateful for the prompt recognition of HHTS as industry’s eminent mental health foundation, with its…

Truck leasing and finance is looking better than ever, with a huge number of fleets having sailed through the pandemic and looking for opportunities to exploit. Sector players ATN spoke to see a number of reasons likely coalescing, but the figures, particularly from the major banks on lending, are stunning. Amongst contributing themes raised were: the end of hesitancy around new truck emissions rules; wear and tear finally forcing owners’ hands; and the need to add to fleets as new contracts arose. Then there are federal government incentives aimed at stimulus both economy-wide and, in particular instances most importantly, instant asset write-off. Occasional Covid scares aside, more heat in the economy means more demand for freight transport. And, on the leasing side, a maturing of attitudes amongst small- and medium-sized…

BYRNE’S BIG ON LIVESTOCK Byrne Trailers showcased a diverse line-up at the Brisbane Truck Show (BTS) but the standouts were undoubtedly the livestock trailers, standing tall as the only ones on show. and with good reason. The company, founded by Mick and Teri Byrne in Peak Hill, NSW, in 1974, has seen solid growth from its small beginnings, where it now claims to hold market leadership in the livestock sector. Extensive manufacturing facilities were established in Wagga Wagga in 1988, with expansion into Queensland in 1993 via a manufacturing and service depot in Toowoomba. Byrne’s capabilities were represented at the show via a B-triple unit that can cart sheep, cattle and pigs alongside a B-double cattle-only unit belonging to Shanahan’s Livestock Transport. Though not outright new releases, Byrne explains it…

Scania hasn’t wasted any time slipping the new 540hp (403kW) version of its 13-litre Euro 6 engine into the market. And nor should it, given that since the local launch of its much lauded ‘New Truck Generation’ (NTG) more than three years ago, the Swedish brand has been somewhat off the pace in the 13-litre power parade. Sure, the new range has many attributes: second to none in safety, exceptional build quality, respectable efficiency, and when it comes to big bore brawn, there’s nothing to match Scania’s venerable V8. But, as we asked several Scania operatives during the NTG’s Australian launch, ‘Seriously, why is the 13-litre engine limited to 500hp (373kW) when the similarly-sized engines of its main rivals, namely Volvo’s D13 and Mercedes-Benz’s OM471, peak at 540 and 530hp…